5 Reasons Exercise Keeps Me Out of the Psych Ward

by Word of Mom Blogger on January 29, 2015

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Jennifer Killi Marshall is a 34-year-old wife and mother of two young children. Over seven years ago she suffered her first manic episode and several months and many doctor's appointments later was finally diagnosed as having Bipolar - Type I. She has learned so much from her journey thus far and hopes that by sharing her experiences she can help other women who live with Bipolar Disorder. Check out her blog, Bipolar Mom Life, and follow her on Twitter.

No one can ignore the challenge moms with small children face when it comes to scheduling time to exercise. After logging hours as the family cook, the chauffeur, and the maid, there are usually few precious minutes left at the end of the day for the family matriarch to spend sweating at the gym. These responsibilities sometimes get in the way of my ability to schedule workout time. But as a mom living with bipolar disorder, my mental health is at stake.

Everyone knows that exercise is good for our health — both our bodies and our minds. The truth is, the hard things in life aren't easy and although the last thing I may want to do some days is exercise, I know how important it is that I make the time. Because when I do, I reap the benefits.

These days, I'm more committed to staying active than I've ever been before. Here are five reasons why I now make working out a priority.

1. It boosts my mood every time. Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, which trigger a positive, happy feeling in the body. After a good workout, I notice my mood stays elevated for about 12 hours, enough to get me through the day until I go to sleep and wake up to do it again. I've started to even crave my next exercise session so that I can reap the rewards of a heightened state of mind when I'm done.

2. Discipline with exercise rolls into other areas of my life. There is something magical that happens after I work out each day. I notice that I'm instantly more productive in other areas of my life. It's as if staying in shape physically keeps my mind more focused so that I am able to accomplish more household and career tasks, crossing them off my to-do list as I get things done.

3. When I'm in shape, I'm able to keep up with the kids. My kids love to run around and I love being able to stay one step ahead of them when we're on the playground or in the pool or on our bikes. Hearing them yell, "Chase me, Mommy!" or "Push me higher!" gives me motivation to stay on top of my exercise goals so that I never have to say, "Sorry, love. Mommy's tired." By staying in shape, I'm setting a positive example for my kids so that they grow up knowing how important exercise is to a person's well-being.

4. Working out helps me get a solid night's rest. One the days that I exercise, be it a home workout DVD, walking the kids to the playground in the double stroller, or a yoga class with my favorite local instructor, I almost always sleep soundly and wake fully rested and ready to tackle a new day. I just have to be sure to get my workout done before 7 p.m., so that it doesn't interfere with my ability to fall asleep quickly.

5. Exercising consistently increases my self-confidence. When my clothes fit, I feel good. It's a wonderful thing to be able to walk into my closet, pick out an outfit, and be happy with how I look. My body looks and feels strong because I make time to work out and that is a beautiful thing. When my self-care improves my self-esteem, in my opinion that's the definition of "worth it."

Exercise hasn't always taken a front-row seat in my life, but it will from now on. I'm happier, and healthier mentally, than I've been in years thanks to my renewed commitment to staying in shape. I've become a positive role model for my kids, showing them how staying active can help a person grow in all the other areas of their life, not just the physical.

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